Biomass ash interactions with a manganese ore used as oxygen-carrying bed material in a 12 MWth CFB boiler

Elemental composition analysis of the samples showed that common ash elements such as silicon, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sulphur had been accumulated in the manganese ore. Silicon, calcium and potassium were found throughout the particles as well as in formed surface layers. Sulphur was only found at the surface of the particles. The reactivity of the oxygen-carrying particles was affected during operation and showed a continuous decrease with increasing residence time in the boiler. The decrease in reactivity could be coupled to the layers of ash formed. Thus, this is an important issue when developing novel combustion concepts, such as OCAC and chemical-looping combustion (CLC), for biomass fuels.